Templin and Franklin shine at Nationals

BY ANDRES FOCIL

FAYETTEVILLE– Two Razorbacks represented the Arkansas swimming and diving program at the 2010 CONOCOPHILLIPS National Championships in Irvin, Calif., over the past weekend.Sophomore Chelsea Franklin and junior Alison Templin each competed in the 800 free and both posted career-best times at the meet. Templin posted her fastest preliminary swim to date in the 400 free with 4:19.82. She also placed 24th in the 800 free clocking 8:49.60, a career best for her in the event.Franklin set new career-best times in both the 400 and 800 freestyle events when she clocked 4:19.87 in the 400 free finals event and stopped the clock at 8:59.03 in the 800 free."I could not be more pleased with the way we swam at the U.S. National Championships this past week,” head coach Jeff Poppell said. “Both Alison and Chelsea represented the Razorbacks very well. I am very proud of the way the girls competed against the best swimmers in the United States and the experience should provide them with a great deal of confidence heading into the new season," Poppell said.Representing her home club, junior Katie Whitbeck equaled her personal best in the 100 butterfly and posted a career best time in the 200 butterfly as well. She trained in Fayetteville throughout the summer in preparation for the meet.The Razorbacks season begins Oct. 8, at the North Texas Relays in Denton, Texas followed by duals against UNT and Tulane the following day.